Grand traditional Hollywood war movie

Rating: 8/10 (12 November 2013)

This is an old fashion war movie. It looks at the invasion of Normandy from the build up to the events of D-day. It's got big stars, big scale and some big action.
It was a big hit despite some discrepancies. It's a Hollywood extravaganza, not a documentary. They got John Wayne to put the big name on the headline. But they also got pre-Bond Sean Connery. The German side of the story is also well represented.
The action is big. Without CG, the grand scale on the beach of the actual day is more hinted at than actually achieved on the screen. For example 'Saving Private Ryan' provides a much more visceral experience for the landing. The attack on the casino in Ouistreham looks great. Who can forget the nuns? It's really a triumph of old school filmmaking.
As a complete D-day extravaganza, there really isn't a rival. It's been exceed on the actual landing depiction. And there are some notable historical errors. However it is still a landmark movie in Hollywood history.